Tim Chey's Official Blog

Academy-Award winning actress Mira Sorvino wrapped filming on the movie, ‘The Islands’ set to hit theaters in November 2018.

Sorvino plays one of the first missionaries to arrive into Hawaii in 1821. Based on the true story of Chiefess Kapiolani who descended into an active volcano to demonstrate her new-found faith and ushered in a new beginning in Hawaii.

The film has received a lot of positive media attention for using Native Hawaiians/Polynesians in the lead roles.

“I was thrilled to work with Mira on this important film,” says Director Tim Chey. “She was so courageous and even did her own stunt work in rescuing a villager in the rain and riding a horse.”

Sorvino, who has been in the news lately regarding Harvey Weinstein’s alleged blacklisting of the actress for refusing his sexual advances, was always at the top of Chey’s list to play Lucy Thornton.

“I hired Mira way before the Harvey thing broke out and was so sad to hear about how Mira was possibly blacklisted,” continues Chey. “There are too many rumor-mills in our industry and it’s very unfortunate that innocent people are swept up and grinded out.”

‘The Islands’ is one of four movies that are being shot on Hawaii’s epic history.

Over 13,000 actors submitted for ‘The Islands’, including over 800 Native Hawaiian actors.

“I think Mira could be nominated again in 2019 for another Oscar,” says Chey. “Her commitment as an actress is without peer. She’s an undying perfectionist and performed admirably despite having only a tent instead of trailer to rest in.”

Chey also produced ‘Freedom’ (Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, Sharon Leal) that was shot on the Amistad and ‘David and Goliath’ filmed in North Africa and London. He also produced and directed Sony Pictures ‘Slamma Jamma’ (Michael Irvin, Chris Staples) which had a national theater release on March 24, 2017. The film hit 502 theaters in 281 cities across the U.S.

Sorvino is repped by Ryan Martin at APA, Savage is repped by Peter Young at Sovereign Talent Group; Camp by Ryan Martin at ADR Agency.

Production has wrapped on the high-profile movie, ‘The Islands’ set to hit theaters in November 2018.

The film, shot entirely in Hawaii, is based on the incredible true story of Chiefess Kapiolani who descended into an active volcano to demonstrate her new-found faith and ushered in a new beginning in Hawaii.

Newcomer Teuria Shanti Napa plays the Chiefess along with Academy-Award winner Mira Sorvino and legendary actor John Savage who play early missionaries.
‘The Islands’ is one of four movies that are being shot on Hawaii’s epic history.

“I’m so delighted that we could tell the world about Chiefess Kapiolani through cinema,” says director Tim Chey. “What she did is still considered one of the greatest acts of moral courage by any world leader.”

Over 13,000 actors submitted for ‘The Islands’, including over 800 Native Hawaiian actors. The casting team sought actors in Hawaii, LA, NYC, Toronto, and Guam.

“We’re super excited that millions around the world will hear a story that has never been told in the movies,” continues Chey. “This will honor Hawaiian history and all the Hawaiian people.”

Chey also produced ‘Freedom’ (Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, Sharon Leal) that was shot on the Amistad and ‘David and Goliath’ filmed in North Africa and London. He also produced and directed Sony Pictures ‘Slamma Jamma’ (Michael Irvin, Chris Staples) which had a national theater release on March 24, 2017. The film hit 502 theaters in 281 cities across the U.S.

The film, from director Tim Chey (‘Freedom’, ‘David and Goliath’), will hit theaters nationwide in September 2016.

The ground-breaking movie follows the character of Michael Diggs who gets out of prison and wins the national slam-dunk competition and in the process finds redemption. It’s like the the basketball version of ‘The Blind Side’. Already the film is receiving raves reviews in Hollywood as agents are lining up to pitch their clients for the film.

Like other competition movies like ‘Pitch Perfect’ and ‘Bring it On’, Chey believes there will be a huge audience for the film when it comes to theaters next fall. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we can hit a home run at the theaters,” says Chey.

Chey promises to fill the movie with sports stars. He’s directed NBA star David Robinson and NFL star Bo Jackson in two of his well-known films, including ‘Fakin’ Da Funk’ that was the highest rated movie on cable networks in 2000. The film starred Pam Grier, Tatiana Ali, Duane Martin, Tone Loc, John Witherspoon, et al.

Chey also produced the 2014 film ‘Freedom’ starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, and Sharon Leal that was shot on the Amistad and ‘David and Goliath’ shot in North Africa and London.

It took Chey seventeen years to bring ‘Slamma Jamma’ to fruition. “I wrote the first draft in 1998 when street slam dunk contests were just beginning to pick up,” says Chey. “Now these contests are every week around the world.”

The film, from director Tim Chey (‘Freedom’, ‘David and Goliath’), will hit theaters nationwide in December 2016.

The ground-breaking movie is based on the incredible true stories of Hawaii’s beginnings from Captain Cook’s arrival to King Kamehameha’s unification wars through the chaotic last months of the monarchy of Queen Liliʻuokalani.

“I’m thrilled the audience will finally witness the untold stories of Hawaii incredible history,” says Chey. “No one knows how the islands really came to being.”

Like other historical movies such as ‘Master and Commander’ and ‘Dances With Wolves’, Chey believes there will be a huge audience for the film when it comes to theaters next fall. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we can hit a home run at the theaters,” says Chey. “Anything Hawaii is red hot.”

Chey also produced the 2014 film ‘Freedom’ starring stars Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, and Sharon Leal that was shot on the Amistad and ‘David and Goliath’ filmed in North Africa and London.

So will Chey win the Oscar with ‘The Islands’?

“My hope is the film will be Oscar-worthy, not necessarily Oscar-winning,” says Chey. “Politics unfortunately enters the race sometimes and the best films don’t always win.”

October 15, 2013 – The epic, big-budget Christian film, ‘Carry Me Home’, from Writer/Producer Tim Chey, comes to theaters in 2014. The film looks at two stories, one of them on the early life of John Newton, the former slave trader who wrote ‘Amazing Grace’

“John Newton’s life patterns mine in so many ways,” says Tim Chey. “He found Christ in a storm and his life changed forever.”

It took Chey eight years to research and write the script and nine years to bring the project to the big screen. The under $20 million dollar film has the 3rd highest budget for a Christian film after ‘Passion of the Christ’

“I was thrilled when Cuba Gooding, Jr signed on,” says Chey. “He was my first choice. He read the script and said, ‘I’m in.’

Chey’s friend, Dean Cundey (‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Back to the Future’) also shot the movie. “The entire movie’s terrific look is because of one person: my friend Dean. He did a phenomenal job.”

Chey traveled from Fiji to Mississippi to Nova Scotia scouting locations. He chose Connecticut because of the natural beauty and Mystic Seaport.

“I picked Connecticut because of the tremendous historical significance,” says Chey. “We also filmed on the Amistad ship with Dean in a helicopter covering some truly epic moments.”

The highly-anticipated film is slated to open wide in theaters throughout the U.S. in 2014

The Rapture’ will open in select theaters in September 13, 2013 starting in Houston.The film is slated to open in select theaters throughout the U.S. starting in September 2013 starting in Houston and then on to LA, NY, Portland, Seattle, San Antonio, Nashville, and other cities.“It was one of the best received films I’ve done,” says director Tim Chey. “A lot of people told me later they cried at several scenes.”The film premiered to a standing-room only crowd at the new LA Live theater in downtown Los Angeles. The packed theater cheered in the end.

“Somebody dropped a water bottle,” said one pastor who saw the film, “and it sounded like a canon went off”.

Another viewer commented, “I thought the Rapture was coming right then.”‘Final: The Rapture’ was filmed in six countries and took almost five months of shooting.Breathtaking, gripping, layered, and astonishing, Final: The Rapture is a gritty, international tale of four separate stories woven together by a common theme: the Rapture.

In Los Angeles, Colin Nelson desperately attempts to flee to Bora Bora. Keenly aware that he’s in the Tribulation period, his only hope is in a mysterious man. In Tokyo, a journalist, Masashi, tries to unravel the disappearance of millions of people as the government closes in on him. In Buenos Aires, Marie searches for her final relative as time runs out. And on a deserted island in the South Pacific, Tom Wiseman, an avowed atheist, attempts to be rescued after his plane goes down.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 2, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ — ‘The Epic Journey,’ the new film by Tim Chey, wrapped production after the camera team visited 27 countries in four months. “It was an incredible journey and a miraculous adventure,” says Chey. “I see God’s incredible hand in every story and every city we covered.”

The film documents amazing stories of people who found Christ in impossible situations (a’la John Newton, writer of ‘Amazing Grace’). The film team traveled to Tokyo, Cairo, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Nairobi, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Rome, Lima, Buenos Aires, et al.

The incredible stories range from a Kenyan woman who ran out of food for her orphanage to a kidnapped victim in Afghanistan who was rescued by a Christ-like figure.

“These are profound, tear-jerking stories that will shake the most hardened, cynical atheist,” says Chey, who is also the co-host along with Annie Sims.

It’s been a busy year for Chey who also produced and wrapped production on ‘The Underground Railroad’ starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and is currently shooting the much-anticipated movie ‘Final’ in six countries based on the acclaimed novel. The film looks at the days immediately following the Rapture in four character’s lives.

Wow, just finished a 27 country epic journey called ‘Epic Journey: The Quest to Find God’. God is really moving around the world in these last days. Incredible testimonies. Amazing stories. We were so blessed to travel to Tokyo, Cairo, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Nairobi, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Rome, Lima, Buenos Aires, et al.

God is great and continues to show His presence everywhere. Also finishing ‘FINAL’ shot in six countries. And finally ‘UNDERGROUND RAILROAD’ starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. – Busy year – God be given all the glory!

One of the most discouraging things about being a Christian filmmaker are the blood-thirsty ‘critics’, both secular and Christian, who attack our films. Of course, I remember Jay Schroeder, the former NFL quarterback saying the worst thing he hated about playing football was enduring the sports critics who never wore a jock-strap. I guess it’s the same with me – movie critics who’ve never picked up a camera.

However, I’ve learned just to forgive. The Lord has blessed me so much – I’ve directed 6 films that have reached over 96 million households on TV and in the theaters.

Here’s 3 important verses in Scripture that every ‘critic’ needs to read before bashing films that honor God:

Isaiah 5:20-21

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

2 Chronicles 19:2

Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you

John 15:18-19
If the people of this world hate you, just remember that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, its people would love you. But you don’t belong to the world. I have chosen you to leave the world behind, and that is why its people hate you.

Biography of Tim Chey

Educated at Harvard University, USC Film School, and Boston University School of Law. Chey’s work has been seen on E! Entertainment, The Wall Street Journal, The LA Times, VIBE TV, MTV, Daily Variety, CBS News, ABC News, Hollywood Reporter, TNT, USA Networks, the Dove Awards, MovieGuide Awards, People Magazine, and the New York Times.

Chey was the recipient of the prestigious ‘Spirit of the Independent’ award for Best Director. He served as chairman of the Student Awards committee at the Director’s Guild of America.